David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Whatever about Senator Hayden's view of Opposition spokespersons crying crocodile tears, everybody in this House will be aware from their dealings with staff in constituency offices that the victims of these policies are crying real tears because of the impact they will have on them and their families. I am sure Senator Hayden like other Members also deals with such people. All of these issues will be further debated today on Committee Stage.

I rise primarily to welcome the Government's decision to legislate for the X case. I accept it will be a difficult issue for members of all parties and none. In my view we are 20 years too late in legislating on this issue. Previous Governments have failed the women of Ireland on this issue. In my view what is needed to deal comprehensively with this issue and to safeguard and protect medical professionals and women is a combination of primary legislation and robust regulations. For some people, policy on this issue will go too far while for others it will not go far enough. I hope that when we come to debate the legislation on this issue, which debate it is hoped will be robust, there will be some degree of balance to it. Yesterday's pronouncement from one Member of this House, which attempted to juxtapose the awful tragedy in the US with the issue of abortion and people's genuine and sincere concerns for women, was disgraceful.